A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day Analysis
Stanza 1
Line 1: From harmony, from Heav’nly harmony
This universal frame began.
Explanation: The speaker begins by asserting that the universe itself was created through the power of music. He uses the word “frame” to describe the universe, suggesting that it is a well-ordered and harmonious structure.
Line 2: When Nature underneath a heap
Of jarring atoms lay,
Explanation: The speaker continues by describing how the universe was in a state of chaos before music was created. He uses the words “jarring atoms” to suggest that the universe was a disordered and chaotic place.
Line 3: And could not heave her head,
Explanation: The speaker personifies Nature as a woman who is unable to rise from her slumber. This suggests that Nature was powerless and helpless before music was created.
Line 4: The tuneful voice was heard from high,
Arise ye more than dead.
Explanation: The speaker describes how music was created by a “tuneful voice” from above. This suggests that music is a divine force that can bring order and harmony to the world.
Line 5: Then cold, and hot, and moist, and dry,
In order to their stations leap,
Explanation: The speaker describes how the elements of the universe (cold, hot, moist, and dry) were brought into order by the power of music. This suggests that music is a force that can create order out of chaos.
Line 6: And music’s pow’r obey.
Explanation: The speaker reiterates that the elements of the universe are obedient to the power of music. This suggests that music is a powerful force that can control the natural world.
Line 7: From harmony, from Heav’nly harmony
This universal frame began:
Explanation: The speaker repeats the first line of the poem, emphasizing the importance of harmony in the creation of the universe.
Line 8: From harmony to harmony
Through all the compass of the notes it ran,
Explanation: The speaker describes how the harmony of the universe is reflected in all of nature, from the smallest atom to the largest star.
Line 9: The diapason closing full in man.
Explanation: The speaker concludes by asserting that the ultimate harmony of the universe is found in human beings. This suggests that humans are the highest creation of God and that they are meant to live in harmony with each other and with the rest of nature.
Stanza 2
Line 1: What passion cannot music raise and quell!
Explanation: The speaker begins the second stanza by asking a rhetorical question: “What passion cannot music raise and quell?” This question suggests that music is a powerful force that can evoke and control a wide range of human emotions.
Line 2: When Jubal struck the corded shell,
Explanation: The speaker then gives an example of the power of music to evoke strong emotions. He tells the story of Jubal, the biblical inventor of music, who played the “corded shell” and caused his listeners to fall to the ground in wonder.
Line 3: His list’ning brethren stood around
Explanation: The speaker describes how Jubal’s listeners were completely captivated by his music. They stood around him in silence, listening to his every note.
Line 4: And wond’ring, on their faces fell
Explanation: The speaker describes how Jubal’s listeners were so overwhelmed by his music that they fell to the ground in wonder. This suggests that Jubal’s music was truly transcendent and awe-inspiring.
Line 5: To worship that celestial sound:
Explanation: The speaker describes how Jubal’s listeners were so moved by his music that they began to worship it. This suggests that Jubal’s music was not just entertainment; it was a religious experience.
Line 6: Less than a god they thought there could not dwell
Explanation: The speaker describes how Jubal’s listeners were so convinced by his music that they believed that he must be a god. This suggests that Jubal’s music had a profound and transformative effect on his listeners.
Line 7: Within the hollow of that shell
Explanation: The speaker describes how Jubal’s music came from a simple shell, a seemingly insignificant object. This suggests that music can be found in the most unexpected places.
Line 8: That spoke so sweetly and so well.
Explanation: The speaker concludes the stanza by praising the beauty and eloquence of Jubal’s music. He suggests that Jubal’s music was truly a gift from God.
Line 9: What passion cannot music raise and quell!
Explanation: The speaker repeats the first line of the stanza, emphasizing the power of music to evoke and control human emotions.
Overall, the second stanza is a celebration of the power of music to evoke and transform human emotions. The speaker uses the example of Jubal to show how music can move people to wonder, awe, and even worship. The speaker also suggests that music can be found in the most unexpected places and that it is a truly divine gift.
Stanza 3
Line 1: The trumpet’s loud clangor
Explanation: The speaker begins the third stanza by describing the sound of the trumpet, which is a brass instrument used to signal and motivate troops in battle.
Line 2: Excites us to arms
Explanation: The speaker describes how the sound of the trumpet can excite people to battle. He suggests that the trumpet’s sound can evoke feelings of anger and aggression, which can motivate people to fight.
Line 3: With shrill notes of anger
Explanation: The speaker describes the trumpet’s sound as “shrill notes of anger.” This suggests that the trumpet’s sound can evoke strong feelings of anger in people.
Line 4: And mortal alarms.
Explanation: The speaker also describes the trumpet’s sound as “mortal alarms.” This suggests that the trumpet’s sound can warn people of danger and motivate them to take action.
Line 5: The double double double beat
Explanation: The speaker then describes the sound of the drum, which is a percussion instrument used to keep rhythm and motivate troops in battle.
Line 6: Of the thund’ring drum
Explanation: The speaker describes the drum’s sound as “thund’ring.” This suggests that the drum’s sound is loud and powerful.
Line 7: Cries, hark the foes come;
Explanation: The speaker describes how the drum’s sound can be used to warn of the approach of enemies.
Line 8: Charge, charge, ’tis too late to retreat.
Explanation: The speaker concludes the stanza by describing how the drum’s sound can be used to motivate troops to charge into battle. He suggests that the drum’s sound can evoke feelings of courage and determination in people.
Overall, the third stanza is a description of how music can be used to motivate people to battle. The speaker uses the examples of the trumpet and the drum to show how music can evoke feelings of anger, aggression, courage, and determination in people. The speaker also suggests that music can be used to warn people of danger and to coordinate their actions in battle.
Stanza 4
Line 1: The soft complaining flute
Explanation: The speaker begins the fourth stanza by describing the sound of the flute, which is a woodwind instrument that is often used to produce soft and melodious sounds.
Line 2: In dying notes discovers
Explanation: The speaker describes how the flute’s sound can be used to express the emotions of hopeless lovers. He suggests that the flute’s dying notes can evoke feelings of sadness, despair, and longing in people.
Line 3: The woes of hopeless lovers,
Explanation: The speaker explicitly states that the flute’s sound can be used to express the “woes of hopeless lovers.” This suggests that the flute is a particularly effective instrument for expressing feelings of sadness and despair.
Line 4: Whose dirge is whisper’d by the warbling lute.
Explanation: The speaker compares the flute’s sound to a “dirge,” which is a song of mourning. He also suggests that the lute, another stringed instrument, can be used to “whisper” the dirge of hopeless lovers. This suggests that the flute and the lute are both effective instruments for expressing feelings of grief and loss.
Overall, the fourth stanza is a description of how music can be used to express the emotions of hopeless lovers. The speaker uses the examples of the flute and the lute to show how music can evoke feelings of sadness, despair, and longing in people. The speaker also suggests that music can be used to mourn the loss of love and to express the pain of unrequited love.
Stanza 5
Line 1: Sharp violins proclaim
Explanation: The speaker begins the fifth stanza by describing the sound of the violin, which is a stringed instrument that is known for its sharp and piercing sound.
Line 2: Their jealous pangs, and desperation,
Explanation: The speaker describes how the violin’s sound can be used to express the emotions of a jealous and desperate lover. He suggests that the violin’s sharp sound can evoke feelings of anger, resentment, and despair in people.
Line 3: Fury, frantic indignation,
Explanation: The speaker continues to describe the range of emotions that can be expressed through the violin’s sound. He suggests that the violin can also evoke feelings of fury and indignation in people.
Line 4: Depth of pains and height of passion,
Explanation: The speaker describes the violin’s ability to express both the deepest pain and the most intense passion. He suggests that the violin is a versatile instrument that can be used to express a wide range of human emotions.
Line 5: For the fair, disdainful dame.
Explanation: The speaker concludes the stanza by revealing that the jealous and desperate lover is expressing his emotions for a “fair, disdainful dame.” This suggests that the violin is particularly effective at expressing the pain and frustration of unrequited love.
Overall, the fifth stanza is a description of how music can be used to express the emotions of a jealous and desperate lover. The speaker uses the example of the violin to show how music can evoke feelings of anger, resentment, despair, fury, and indignation in people. The speaker also suggests that music can be used to express the deepest pain and the most intense passion.
Stanza 6
Line 1: But oh! what art can teach
Explanation: The speaker begins the sixth stanza by asking a rhetorical question: “But oh! what art can teach?” This question suggests that the organ is a truly unique instrument that cannot be compared to any other.
Line 2: What human voice can reach
Explanation: The speaker continues his rhetorical questioning, asking: “What human voice can reach?” This question suggests that the organ’s sound is beyond the capabilities of the human voice.
Line 3: The sacred organ’s praise?
Explanation: The speaker finally reveals the subject of his praise: “the sacred organ’s praise.” This suggests that the organ is a particularly sacred and powerful instrument.
Line 4: Notes inspiring holy love,
Explanation: The speaker describes how the organ’s sound can inspire feelings of “holy love” in people. This suggests that the organ is a particularly effective instrument for expressing religious devotion.
Line 5: Notes that wing their Heav’nly ways
Explanation: The speaker describes how the organ’s sound can “wing its Heav’nly ways.” This suggests that the organ’s sound is transcendent and divine.
Line 6: To mend the choirs above.
Explanation: The speaker concludes the stanza by suggesting that the organ’s sound can “mend the choirs above.” This suggests that the organ’s sound is so powerful and beautiful that it can even improve the music of the angels.
Overall, the sixth stanza is a celebration of the organ as a sacred and powerful instrument. The speaker uses rhetorical questions and vivid imagery to convey the organ’s ability to inspire feelings of holy love, to transcend the natural world, and to even improve the music of the angels.
Stanza 7
Line 1: Orpheus could lead the savage race;
Explanation: The speaker begins the seventh stanza by comparing Saint Cecilia to the legendary Greek musician Orpheus. Orpheus was said to be able to charm all living things with his music, even the wild animals and plants.
Line 2: And trees unrooted left their place;
Explanation: The speaker describes how Orpheus’ music was so powerful that it could even move trees. This suggests that Orpheus’ music had a profound effect on the natural world.
Line 3: Sequeacious of the lyre:
Explanation: The speaker explains that Orpheus’ music was so enchanting that even the trees were drawn to it. He uses the word “sequacious” to suggest that the trees were following Orpheus’ music as if it were a leader.
Line 4: But bright Cecilia rais’d the wonder high’r;
Explanation: The speaker then turns his attention to Saint Cecilia, and he argues that her music was even more powerful than Orpheus’. He uses the phrase “rais’d the wonder high’r” to suggest that Saint Cecilia’s music was truly transcendent.
Line 5: When to her organ, vocal breath was giv’n,
Explanation: The speaker describes how Saint Cecilia’s organ music was so powerful that it was as if her organ had been given a voice. This suggests that Saint Cecilia’s organ music was truly divine.
Line 6: An angel heard, and straight appear’d
Explanation: The speaker describes how Saint Cecilia’s organ music was so powerful that it attracted the attention of an angel. He uses the word “straight” to suggest that the angel appeared immediately after hearing Saint Cecilia’s music.
Line 7: Mistaking earth for Heav’n.
Explanation: The speaker concludes the stanza by suggesting that the angel was so moved by Saint Cecilia’s music that it mistook earth for heaven. This suggests that Saint Cecilia’s music was truly celestial.
Overall, the seventh stanza is a celebration of Saint Cecilia’s music as even more powerful and transcendent than that of Orpheus. The speaker uses vivid imagery and rhetorical devices to convey the power of Saint Cecilia’s music to move and inspire people, even to the point of attracting the attention of an angel.
GRAND CHORUS
Line 1: As from the pow’r of sacred lays
Explanation: The speaker begins by asserting that the universe itself was created through the power of music. He uses the phrase “sacred lays” to suggest that music is a divine force.
Line 2: The spheres began to move,
Explanation: The speaker describes how the planets and stars began to move in their orbits when music was first created. This suggests that music is the fundamental force that governs the universe.
Line 3: And sung the great Creator’s praise
Explanation: The speaker describes how the planets and stars sang the praises of their creator when they were first created. This suggests that music is a way to connect with the divine.
Line 4: To all the bless’d above;
Explanation: The speaker specifies that the planets and stars were singing the praises of their creator “to all the bless’d above.” This suggests that music is a universal language that can be understood by both humans and angels.
Line 5: So when the last and dreadful hour
Explanation: The speaker then turns to the future and predicts that music will also play a role in the destruction of the universe. He uses the phrases “last and dreadful hour” and “crumbling pageant” to suggest that the end of the universe will be a time of great chaos and destruction.
Line 6: This crumbling pageant shall devour,
Explanation: The speaker describes how the universe will be destroyed like a “crumbling pageant.” This suggests that the end of the universe will be sudden and complete.
Line 7: The trumpet shall be heard on high,
Explanation: The speaker describes how a trumpet will be heard on high at the end of the universe. This suggests that the end of the universe will be a momentous and apocalyptic event.
Line 8: The dead shall live, the living die,
Explanation: The speaker describes how the dead will be resurrected and the living will die at the end of the universe. This suggests that the end of the universe will be a time of great upheaval and change.
Line 9: And music shall untune the sky.
Explanation: The speaker concludes the poem by asserting that music will “untune the sky” at the end of the universe. This suggests that music is not only a force of creation, but also a force of destruction.
